Iran's hardline president on Friday warned that bullying Western powers and Zionists will fall soon, saying Muslims can no longer tolerate their tyranny and harassment. Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said the root cause of challenges faced by the Muslim world can be found in the "hegemonic tendencies" of certain bullying powers, a clear reference to the United States and Europe.
"But domination and bullying will not last much longer. Bullies and Zionists beware, you are going to fall," Ahmedinejad said in a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur on the last day of a three-day official visit.
Ahmedinejad appeared to use "Zionists" as a sweeping reference to Israel and Jews. He did not talk about overthrowing the government of Israel or attacking it, and his comments appeared to be rhetorical bluster against a nation he has said in the past has no right to exist.
Ahmedinejad, a former Teheran mayor who took office last June with the backing of the country's hardline clergy, is in Malaysia to win support for his country's program from Malaysia's leaders.
Iran is under pressure from the U.N's International Atomic Energy Agency to assure that its nuclear program is not meant to make atomic bombs. Iran said it is only interested in using nuclear power to generate electricity.
It refuses to allow international inspections of its uranium enrichment - a process that can either be used to make weapons or generate power.
On Thursday, Ahmedinejad said Iran wold not surrender its "inalienable rights" to have nuclear power, as officials prepared to hold talks with the European Union to defuse the nuclear crisis.
The IAEA board of governors is set to meet Monday to discuss the issue and could refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council. The council has the power to impose sanctions.
He did not refer to the meeting with the EU but said the IAEA's treatment of Iran was "politically motivated."
Much of his speech was a diatribe against the "Zionists."
"Western governments are paying - out of their nation's personal incomes and the government treasury - to the Zionist regime," said Ahmedinejad.
"The citizens of Western countries without being consulted are footing the bill. The control of Zionists over a number of Western countries is so far reaching that their government cannot even take a political decision that is contrary to the Zionist will."
But he said nations were becoming increasingly aware of the situation and it would no longer tolerate such tyranny and harassment.
"The people of the world are increasing more aware and awake," he said.
Ahmedinejad is scheduled to hold afternoon prayers at Malaysia's main mosque later Friday.
